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Hi - Alexander Henry was my great-great-grandfather, and I am re-starting researching his life here in edinburgh, where I live. Last time I did (1994), I had small kids (now grown up) and the internet didn't exist, to all intents and purposes!
I'd be very grateful if anyone has any references to him, or can recommend good material / sites etc.
I have the treatise on the British Martini Henry rifle book, and some extracts from others, and also some original letters of his.
Thanks
Richard
Richard, You might try asking over on the british gun site britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com. There is a lot more activity there on martinis.
john
Search for the 1st volume of Wal Winfer's series of books on British Single-Shot Rifles. It focuses on Alexander Henry.
Here's Alexander Henry's grave in Warriston cemetery, Edinburgh - note his year of birth is 1818, not 1828, as I've often seen.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...13001003-1.jpg
Also, here is the answer to the family story I'd heard so much about from my late dad:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ofsonpng-1.jpg
Tragic.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...13002003-1.jpg
This is held by the Museum of Scotland. It was donated by my father, Charles Henry Brown.
A man with that full a life must have left a great deal of papers etc. Have you been able to find out what happened to those? Wills are a good place to start as you probably know.
Was his son who was accidentally killed his only son?
Thanks for the reply.
We have a book of "flimsies" (forerunners of photocopies - like a "carbon copy") of letters he wrote in 1873, which are interesting. Yes, I will find out about his will.
He had a number of children ... with several tragedies along the way ...
Eliza Mackay – my great grandmother, married Alexander Brown
Jemima
James Alexander – accidental shooting
William Orchardson – measles and teething
Isabella
Alexander - took over the business
John C
Somewhere along the way I discovered a “stillborn” in 1857 …
He's described as a "little man ... whom tragedy seemed to stalk ..." in one book.
Too right.
You'll probably find that the papers etc. were split up among his children and have spread out from there. You'll need to track all those descendants down to be sure you have found it all.
Are you planning on writing a biography of him? He certainly deserves one.
If guns are not your thing, that would be a steep learning curve to cover that aspect of his life. Of course that is the aspect that most people would want to read about.
If a biography is your intention, perhaps you can find a collaborator who is already a student of A.H.'s guns who could work with you on that aspect of it.
It could turn into a biography, yes.
I understand that the guns would be of foremost interest to people.
It's not that I'm not keen on the guns side, but understandably, he's a "relative" and had quite a life ... plus there are interesting elements of Victorian Edinburgh and Scotttish life to be explored, so that's likely to be the focus.
I've got Wal Winfer's book, and Temple and Skennerton, plus have seen large extracts of Kirton.
Who knows where it will go ?!!
For your interest, I gave a 45 min talk on Alexander Henry, and what was happening around Edinburgh to do with the Volunteers in the late 1800s, last week in Edinburgh ...
... making progress.
Was in Edinburg last year and happened to ask an old antique dealer about gun shops etc. He lamented how there used to five in one street alone, but "all gone now". I get the impression the country has been pretty well picked over for old guns etc.
Henry did quite a bit of work for the WD in WWI and records of that would be of interest to some of us, if you ever come across any.
Where is the boy buried who was killed accidentally? Is there more than one Henry family stone in that cemetary or are some in others? It looks typically neglected.
Perhaps your best bet would be to organize a family reunion and get people talking with the aid of a wee dram or two.
Alexander Henry died in 1894, and his son (also Alexander) carried on the business, so it could have been him continuing into WW1 ... I'll check.
The son James and other children are recorded on the plinth of the gravestone.
I'll add more later.
That photo is just of the vertical bit of the headstone - the boy and others are mentioned on the plinth, therefore I assume, in there too. Ironically, in the part of Warriston cemetery, that is the one in the best condition ... and one of few which are upright ! This, all the more, makes me worry that it will be the target for vandals. That cemetery does not have a good reputation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Surpmil
Here is the plinth :
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...13001001-1.jpg
I'm now looking into a letter which I have, written by Alex Henry, to a English gunmaker in December 1873, asking them to give an apprenticeship to his son (14 at the time, also Alex Henry). The address is at the bottom and a bit indistinct. Can anyone throw any light on it, perhaps by confirming the names of London gunmakers at the time ?
It looks like :
John Moore Esq (Could be John Moors Esq)
At best guess, the company has three words, the first beginning with As, the second M or W ...
I know that's not a lot to go on !!
Thanks
Found this here:
Moore John
Manager of
Joseph Brazier
gunlock works
1861 - 1871
'Ashes', Great Brickkiln St
That will be the guy - John Moore, Ashes ... it fits.
Here is that letter, from Alexander Henry to John Moore :
18th Dec
(certainly 1873 – others either side have “3” after date - Alex Henry “jnr” was 14 at that time DoB 6/10/1859. What follows is as written – typos and old fashioned spelling included)
Dear Sir
I intended when you was here last to have spoken to you regarding my eldest son whose mind seems more bent on working at a bench than attending school so I have resolved on sending him to learn gunmaking but do not wish him to be taught in my own workshops least he might like many others get spoiled by indulgences. I have therefore made up my mind to send him to England to serve a portion of this apprenticeship, and having myself found it of great advantage to have a knowledge of lockfiling I should prefer him getting some information in that branch before going to woodwork.
Could you undertake him for a year or two and put him under a good respectable man, or if not can you advise me of any one to whom I could safely send him. He is 14 years last October, and very healthy. I shall be glad to hear what you think of it, as I think of starting him about the beginning of the year.
I hope you are all quite well
Yours very truly
Alex Henry
I'm making good progress with my research on Alexander Henry - the man - as he is my great great grandfather!
I've started improving his very basic entry on Wikipedia, which is only a "stub at the moment.
Let me know if there are things (about him) you'd like me to add.
Thanks